Wayne Rooney trained hard with England today, having made a quick recovery
from the shoulder injury that precluded his involvement for Manchester
United in the Community Shield.

Rooney, who wants to leave United for Chelsea, was first out on the main training pitch at St George’s Park, whacking balls around for half-an-hour before the England captain, Steven Gerrard, strolled on at the scheduled 10.30am starting time followed by Jack Wilshere and the other players.

The main feature of training was Rooney’s performance. He led the running, lapping the pitch. He even outlasted the ultra-fit James Milner in the slalom runs. He was particularly lively in the box possession work, closing down people and passing quickly.

Rooney’s shoulder problem seems to have eased and he should be available to start England’s friendly with Scotland on Wednesday. Whether he then plays for United on Saturday at Swansea remains to be seen.

Rooney has indicated his desire to leave United, although his manager David Moyes again emphasised on Sunday that he was not going anywhere and that there was “no rift” between the pair.

Rooney’s Manchester United team-mate, Ashley Young, has returned to Carrington injured and some of the United players were in the gym after their exertions in the Community Shield while the Chelsea contingent reported late after their flight back from Washington.